As dedicated workers we clean schools, maintain buildings and grounds, service equipment, transport supplies, repair heating systems and provide other related services. We are proud of all the work we do in creating a safe and healthy learning environment for students, staff and parents within our school community.

Latest News

​Notice of Upcoming Elections

Elections will be taking place on January 13th, 2018, during the Annual General Membership Meeting.

Upcoming elections will be for the following positions:

President 2 year term

Recording Secretary 2 year term

2nd Vice-President 1 year term

Sergeant-at-Arms 1 year term

Members-at-Large 1 year term

Members-at-Large 1 year term

Trustee1 year term

The meeting will be held at Eagleview Elementary at 10:00 AM.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

In Solidarity,

Cupe 382 Executive Board

December 5, 2017 - President's Report

December is here and things are still not running smoothly.

Portables:

The portables have been completed and are now in use, and they look great. There was a lot of extra stress put on us during this time, with staff and the general public anxious to get into these new spaces, and poor communication between our employer and the general public about project deadlines - did not make our jobs easier. Despite this, our teams did an amazing job on these buildings and we should feel proud of the work that we did. Thank you everyone for your expertise and your patients with this project. These portables are looking like the gems of the district.

The Carpet Fiasco:

There is still some confusion about how the carpets get cleaned - carpets get vacuumed according to the direction you received from your supervisor. We have heard that some principles are asking you to do additional cleaning on the carpets. Our staff puts the highest standards on our work, however; please explain to your principle that we have not been given extra time to complete these tasks. If you have extra time then you can get into additional carpet cleaning.

Some people are having difficulty communicating with their supervisor by phone - the easy answer to that is email that supervisor, that way then you have documentation of when you tried to communicate.

Facilities:

It saddens me to say that it appears administration does not trust the facilities employees, and possibly all employees. We are under a greater amount of surveillance then ever before. Facilities staff have been notified that they are on video - we have counted 7 security cameras around the yard and gas pump. We have all received a district cell phone, which gives administration access to our cell phone calls, social media activity, internet activity, and our physical location. Please be aware of this when using your district phone. There is GPS monitoring in all the vehicles, and if you require gas, you must use another fob in order to get fuel. Additionally, as you read this our mechanic is installing another fob in the vehicles to provide administration with information about who is driving each vehicle. Lastly; the Ameresco Service Request system is asking us to document what work is done and how long it takes to do it.

The union is left with a lot of questions: Why don't you trust us? Are we being monitored? Administrators say that we aren't being monitored, but their actions indicate otherwise. A lot of decisions that have been made have not been in the best interest of the employees.

Do not fret brothers and sisters. We will make it through this disastrous administration and the problems that it has created for itself. Everyone knows we are the backbone of this district. We get the schools ready for the little ones. We are the people everyone turns to when problems arise. We are the experts and the schools can't run without us.

On a happier note Dec 9th is the last general meeting of the year, please come and join us at Eagle View this Saturday at 10am. There will be finger foods, coffee, juice, and pop. Following the meeting is the Christmas Dinner and Dance. I am looking forward to seeing you all there. Tickets are selling fast so get yours now! You can purchase these through Darren Reed, 250 886 5585, Terrence 250 858 1977, or David (Linda) 250 727 8160

Last but not least: we the executive are wishing everyone a great and safe winter break to all of you and your families

September 28, 2017 - Bursary Applications

It's that time of year again, if you are looking to apply for the CUPE 382 Bursary fund please submit your application ASAP.

June 8, 2017 - Custodial Runs

If you haven't heard yet, all custodial runs have been posted in the STAFF section of the GVSD website. Please take a look at any runs you are interested in for preparation for the forthcoming job changes/postings to be announced later by Operations.

https://www.sd61.bc.ca/staff-support-portal/

April 18, 2017 - Board Meeting Support Take 2!

To All Members;

We would like to invite anyone available to come to the next School Board Meeting where we will have three people speaking on our behalf on the latest issues and ways to improve the District moving forward. A large CUPE 382 presence would help really drive home the message that we as a Union are dedicated to making this the best District in the Province and that the Executive has the full support of the Membership to maintain jobs while delivering a high level of service to the schools.

Please come out, show your support and let's show the Board and management team that we are committed to our schools.

March 13, 2017 - Important Meeting Tonight

Scheduled tonight is our presentation to the board to illustrate our beliefs in the proposed "structure change" plan presented earlier this year by the Director of Facilities. As you know we have made steps in voicing our opposition to job loss loud and clear. Tonight we do so again in this presentation at the Tolmie Building held in the large board room. The meetings starts at 7:30 and we are asking anyone who ISN'T working tonight to come and show up as a sign of our resolve and solidarity to our brothers/sisters whose livelihood is being threatened. A united show of opposition will help drive home just how bad we believe any job loss at the District will be and how our schools will suffer from some of the changes proposed.

March 8, 2017 - President's Newsletter

The GVTA, CUPE947 and CUPE382 have come together in a effort to stop loss through the proposed structure changes within our district. These changes will not only effect the families of those whose jobs are threatened but all families and students within the district. Below is a joint statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2017

Eliminating custodial positions bad for schools, bad for kids.

At a recent presentation to CUPE 382 members, Greater Victoria School District Director of Facilities, David Loveridge, introduced the elimination of a majority of "non-cleaning time" for daytime custodians in all schools. This change will result in the elimination of 16 full-time custodial positions with the cost savings used to hire trades personnel. Custodians already have workload issues. This flawed plan has the potential to create unsafe schools as cleanliness is paramount to student and staff health and well-being. With a projected increase of up to 2000 students in the coming decade, this move seems counter-intuitive. In addition, the Board of Education has recently hired five additional administrative positions that do not work directly with students. How can the employer justify the elimination of front line custodial positions, while at the same time increasing middle management? This decision makes no sense.

February 16, 2017 - President's Newsletter

This months President's Newsletter has been released. In it our President speaks on the recently announced changes to our District. It can be found here.

January 31, 2017 - Union Meeting Change

The next union meeting has been changed to February 18th in regards to the upcoming long weekend. This meeting will be particularly important with the changes that have been communicated to the district. If you have questions or need information this is the meeting to be at. Hope to see you all there.

January 30, 2017 - A Letter To Upper Management

With a new year comes change. Usually we see people making resolutions to do better, to improve aspects of their life or perhaps themselves. Usually these changes impact those around them in positive ways. Unfortunately this year has brought about some changes to the District that while may seem positive on the surface, how we get to those changes has a very negative and damaging impact on the people that do their best to make positive impacts on the District that they work and make their livelihood in. We at CUPE 382 believe that these changes can be brought to fruition through methods other than on the backs of CUPE 382 members and their families. They aren't the only ones that will be negatively impacted however, our schools we see a very real impact of losing these hard working people. Our children will also feel these cuts to the work force as well. Below is a link to a letter sent by our President to upper management. The Union will not stand for problems in the District being solved through attrition to the labor force.A Letter To Upper Management.

January 30, 2017 - Changes Coming to the District

Click the link below to see the changes that are coming to the District.Proposed Changes​

January 1, 2017 - President's Newsletter

December 20, 2016 - Elections

A new year brings a chance for you to participate in your Union Team. Elections for the following positions will be held at the next General Union Meeting on January 14th.

Treasurer
Vice President
2nd Vice President
Member at Large
Member at Large
Sergeant At Arms

December 12, 2016 - President's Newsletter

Christmas is approaching, we hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The newest President's Report can be read here. We also have the School Bursary Application Form up on the website now. Sorry for the delay and confusion on acquiring the proper document. It can be found here: CUPE382_-_Bursary.pdf

November 24, 2016 - 2016/2017 Stewardship Team Update!

A new year brings some new faces to our Stewardship Team. You can find updated information here.

We will still be meeting at EAGLEVIEW SCHOOL at our normal time of 10:00 am.

Please come out and share your thoughts and ideas and questions to the Executive to help us better serve you!

September 12, 2016

September 7, 2016

The president's newsletter is forth coming, we are just waiting on the results of our discussions in regards to the Spring Break accrual.

July 21st, 2016 - "Doing what I want, when I want" - Retired

Here is a insightful interview about Rick Parker's life and experiences working at School District 61. He has since retired and his absence will be sorely missed, but we wish him all the luck and success in this next stage in his life. A well earned reward for working so hard and diligently through his years of service.

June 14th, 2016 - “It took cancer to realize that being self-centered is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.” - Terry Fox

Help support our Sister in achieving her goal to help others who have been effected by this terrible disease.

Hello Everyone

My name is Danielle Parent, I am the day custodian at Victor. I am participating in The Ride To Conquer Cancer this year. It's a 240 km bike ride from Surrey to Seattle. I will be riding with around 2000 other people, and will be asking and collecting donations to support cancer research. The deadline is August 12th for the donations that are mailed in and August 26th for the online ones. I'm really happy to have joined team Nova, and will be riding with them. Each rider has a personal goal of a minimum of $2500.00 to raise. I'm super excited to be helping to support such a worthy cause and take part in this adventure. I would really appreciate any help to reach my goal and help fund some of that amazing research they have been doing. There are so many various kinds of cancer that far too many loved ones have and are suffering from. Every dollar gets them that much closer to a cure, please help. Here is the link and instructions on how you can help support me in supporting them:

Also there is a brochure out that talks about violence in the K-12 workplace and how to deal with these types of incidents. Please take some time and have a look.

May 4th, 2016 - "The state of the Union usually depends on the state of the unions."

Registration is open for May 20th, 2016 ProD

Should you have rentals during this time please be sure they're covered and your Foreman and Supervisor are aware you'd like to attend.

Registration closes May 13th at 4PM

Please note: All workshops are at Spectrum Community School, unless otherwise stated. There are NO workshops at Shoreline Middle Schooldue to the upcoming seismic upgrade.As parking is always an issue at all Pro Ds, please consider carpooling, public transit or biking to the Pro D.

Your ProD Committee

May 3, 2016 - "In Golf As In Life, It Is The Follow Through That Makes The Difference".

CUPE Golf Tournament 2016

The Annual Golf Tournament and Dinner is coming up soon! Please click the link below for all the information.GolfTournament.pdf

CUPEBC Convention 2016

Brothers McGuire, Taylor and Klassen attended this event which brings together like minded people to learn, go over business ( change and or make resolutions) and network.

We heard from some very inspirational speakers and acclaimed our CUPE BC President Paul Faoro, and the Secretary Treasurer Trevor Davies. Alison Pringle was elected General Vice President and Laurie Whyte elected trustee for a three year term.The day of Mourning we attended a Ceremony on the front steps of the Legistrature. This featured a ceremonial guard of honor provided by Victoria Firefighters. Paul Faoro said," Just one worker killed or injured on the job is one worker too many." Keynote speaker Mohamed Fahmy shared his experience of survival in prison for 438 days. As an award winning Canadian Journalist while working in Egypt back in 2013, he was arrested on false terrorism charges and found himself sharing a prison cell with the likes of ISIS and Al Qaeda members. Since his release he has created the Fahmy Foundation to help other Journalists and prisoners unjustly imprisoned around the world. He is a crouagous advocate pushing for new laws to protect other Canadians from unjust laws and treatment of people simply doing their jobs. Giving the voiceless a say against degradation and repression. There is an essential role for UNIONS in the protection of human rights."We had a lot of debate and passed a historical amendment to our constitution which added two diversity seats to the executive of CUPE BC. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond was B.C.'s first Representative for Children and Youth. She spoke of how the BC Liberal policy is "Nothing short of a train wreck" for children and that "BC should not be standing along as the only province without a child poverty plan."In Solidarity;Rob Klassen

Web Editor's Note: We we sent to the convention as part of our duties to our Union Brother/Sisters and with that I collected as much information as I possibly could in an effort to get as much out of the cost of sending us as possible. Hopefully you find the following informative and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

(COMING SOON)

April 26, 2016 - "I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process" - Benjamin Harrison (23rd President of the USA)

Pro-D Work Shops And You

May 20th, 2016 PRO D is fast approaching and for anyone who is interested please check out the following Web Page https://cupe947prod.sd61.bc.ca to see some of the sessions now available and get an idea of what you may want to participate in. Stay tuned for more workshops to be listed before registration date.Registration opens on May 2nd at 6:00 a.m., and will be on a FIRST come FIRST Serve basis.Should you have rentals during this time please be sure they're covered and your Foreman and Supervisor are aware you'd like to attend these sessions before May 2nd.Registration closes May 13th at 4 PM.

Your Pro-D Committee

National Day of Mourning and International Worker Day (May Day)

April 28 every year we honor workers who have been killed or injured on the job. May 1st has long been an ancient European Spring holiday which also is the International Worker day which commemorates the Haymarket affair of 1886 in Chicago.Just 200 years ago a normal working week was 6 days long and 10 to 16 hours per day. Child Labour was common. Then 150 years ago French workers won the 12 hour day after the February Revolution of 1848. In the UK introduction of the Factory Act of 1833 child labour was limited to those aged 9 to 13 could only work eight hours and those 14 to 18 could work twelve hour days. Children under nine were required to attend school. Organized labour movement adopted the slogan "eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest."On May 3rd 1886 August Spies of Chicago spoke to a crowd of 6,000 which subsequently lead to police to open fire and kill four people and wounding many more. The next day May 4th 1886, a protest Rally formed in Haymarket Square. It began as a peaceful rally in support of workers striking for an eight hour day when police started to disperse the public meeting an unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at the police.The bomb and gunfire killed seven police and four civilians with some (70) others wounded. August Spies and seven others were convicted and four were hanged including Spies.The eight hour day didn't just happen because some Boss thought it was a good idea. Workers fought for it and gave their lives.

Community Action Day 2016

RE: May Day – Community Action Day 2016

May Day is celebrated and recognized as the International Workers’ Day, chosen over 100 years ago to commemorate the struggles and gains of workers and the labour movement. Out of the struggles came the 8-hour day, the five day work week, improved working conditions and child labour laws. These gains were not attained without the solidarity of workers and the communities the workers lived in. As workers, we must recognize and commemorate May Day for its historical significance and as a time to celebrate the contributions of workers today. CUPE Locals and District Councils celebrate May Day in a variety of ways including organizing food drives, clothing drives, barbecues, donating free access to community centre facilities and many other events. Proceeds from the drives and barbecues benefit local community organizations.This year I am asking you to celebrate May Day in your communities by organizing events in your community that show that CUPE members care for the communities we live in. We can build on our successful events of previous years by again giving back to the communities we live and work in. The events may be planned during the first two weeks of May.For your information, and for the information of your delegates to the CUPE BC Convention, there will be a community event celebrating International Workers Day under the banner Building Strong Communities in Victoria on Sunday May 1st.The public will gather at 12 noon at Centennial Square downtown Victoria for a parade. From this point participants will march to the Fernwood Community Centre [1.5 kms] and enjoy a “no-money” market and labour celebration. There will be labour musicians, food and a free exchange and bartering of goods and services. A number of free workshops will be presented to the public on how to start a WorkSafe BC claim, bicycle repairs, Duty to Accommodate, urban gardening, women’s rights and others.The CUPE BC Community Events Trailer will be stationed at the Fernwood Centre and will serve as the focal point for the day.Please support CUPE members’ work in our communities by organizing a Community Action Day in your community or attending this Victoria event.

April 10, 2016 - A Call For Support

Our fellow Sister Chloe Deerenberg is in need of our help to spruce up her property and home in order to prepare it for sale. We lost our former Brother Peter Deerenberg recently and now is the time to show Chloe our support when she needs it most. This is part of what being in a Union is all about.Please come on Saturday, April 16th to her home at 649 Seedtree Road in East Sooke.We need volunteers to paint the inside of the house. Please bring any painting supplies or tools you have (trays, brushes, rollers, tarps).We will also be taking care of the property by clearing the yard up, trimming hedges, bucking up several trees and general gardening. Again please bring any tools you think would be helpful to accomplish this goal (brooms, pruners, lopers, blower, rakes, chain saw).Please bring food for the day and any other supplies to help our people show our support to Chloe.All inquires or questions can please be directed to Steve @ 250-508-0050.

Please take some time, whether it be a hour or two, to come and lend a hand to a fellow CUPE Member when she needs us most.

April 7, 2016 - The April edition of the President's Report can be found here.

April 4, 2016 - The Annual Golf Tournament is coming up on June 5th! Please contact Terrance @ 250-858-1977 to register. You will be given a food choice for the dinner and this year you will have the option to play 9 or 18 holes of golf! Hope to see you all there!

March 9, 2016 - Please take the time to read the latest Labour Management Meeting Minutes and find out about issues and changes being worked on in co-operation with the Union and our Management Team.